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Lemonade Diet Review: Does it Work?

The fasting diet the stars are drinking up.

What is it?

The Lemonade Diet is a weight loss fad diet that claims it can detoxify and cleanse the body. It’s also known as the Master Cleanse Diet, and it became popularized by the celebrity Beyoncé who also used it.

Only liquids are allowed and it claims it’s able to promote an improved digestive system for more energy, vitality, happiness, and overall health improvement. It was originally mentioned in a book but there have been numerous variations on this diet. Our review experts have researched many different dietsand the most effective for weight loss was found to be the 18Shake Diet. It combines an appetite suppressing meal replacement alongside a fat burning diet pill. Both have natural ingredients with no cheap fillers, stimulants, colors, preservatives, or artificial additives. Read more about the benefits of the 18Shake Diet by clicking the link here.

Lemonade Diet Ingredients and Side Effects

• Salt water mixture: 2 full tablespoons of non-iodized salt and a one quart of slightly warm water. First thing in the morning one has to drink this on a completely empty stomach.

• Lemonade drink: 10 ounces of spring or purified water are mixed alongside 2 tablespoons of either lemon or lime juice, a tenth of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. A minimum of 6 to 12 glasses need to be drank each day.

• A laxative or peppermint tea: The herbal laxative is needed for those who can’t have a normal bowel movement. It’s preferably drunk before bedtime in order for it to process fully by the body. Peppermint tea is also recommended as it can help reduce any bloating, stomach cramps, and nausea.

Under no circumstancesare there any other kinds of food allowed. This is to properly detoxify the body so it can flush out toxins and rejuvenate itself. After the full 10 days are done and weight loss results are achieved, it’s then advised to slowly introduce light foods such as soup, juice, raw fruits, and raw vegetables.

It’s claimed that these kinds of side effects are normal, as it’s the body flushing out harmful toxins. This is not proven however. These same kinds of symptoms are possible from eating a diet that is rich in sugary maple syrup, acidic lemon or lime juice, and a diet high in sodium. It may also be due to the lack of sufficientvitamins and minerals.

A Dr. Hansa Bhargava adds:

“If weight loss is your goal, it may work temporarily. Anytime you limit your food intake, especially this drastically, you will lose some weight”

Other issues mentioned by the doctor are:

“problem is, you will losemuscle mass. This diet puts you at risk for nutritional deficiencies, too”

As far as sustained weight loss the doctor saw no benefit:

“you will likely gain the weight back really quickly once you start eating normally”

These are serious issues which show that this diet has not enough nutrition, calories, and an unlikelihood of promoting positive weight loss results. This is why this fad diet has not been proven to be safe and effective. The doctor finally recommends:

“it is better to lose weight gradually with a balanced diet that makes sure you get the nutrients you need. Cross this one off your list”

Exercise is not mentioned by this diet, but it's unlikely with a 650 calorie limit that it would be advised. Health US News.com adds:

“it may even be dangerous to exercise when you’re consuming so few calories. Ask your doctor before exercising while (on this diet)”

This can also potentially make it difficult to perform regular tasks as the caloric demands for both men and women are around 2,000. The Lemonade Diet offers less than half of the advised daily amount for maintenance and proper physical functions. This can potentially lead to issues such as fatigue and brain fog.

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this diet with a proven meal replacement such as 18 Shake for better results.

Lemonade Diet Quality of Ingredients

While lemon or lime juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup can be healthy in moderation, relying on theingredients for weight loss is not a good way to lose weight. There are far too many potential issues with this mixture, as it does not have enough vitamins and minerals.

There’s also a need for laxatives in order to promote a bowel movement, as no solid foods are allowed on this diet. The fact that one cannot rely on their own body for a natural process shows how potentially unsafe this diet is.

There’s also a salt flush which can contain a large amount of sodium which can promote water weight gain. The extreme limit by eating only 650 calories is also another issue which can cause many side effects.

The Price and Quality of Lemonade Diet

The price will likely be cheap since the bulk of the diet is limited and relies on the same basic foods. Howeverthere’s no evidence that sustaining oneself on these kinds of foods would be safe and effective for weight loss. Health experts have also agreed that this is simply another fad diet lacking in sufficient nutrition and calories.

Due to the many potentially side effects which can damage the body, there’s far too much risk involved with this diet.

Business of Lemonade Diet

The diet was first mentioned in a book called the “The Master Cleanse” which was published in 1976 by Stanley Burroughs. The creator has not provided any proof showing whether or not this is a safe and effective diet.

He has also been charged in many lawsuits for proving false and ineffective nutrition and health advice. He was a specialist in natural medicine, which is a field of medicine which his not accepted in the medical community.

Conclusion - Does Lemonade Diet Work?

The Lemonade Diet is similar to other fad diets which suggest limiting oneself to just a few foods. Only liquids are allowed, and the diet suggests only using it for 10 day periods. Since the caloric limit is 650 a day, this will likely result in weight loss. Any extreme caloric deprivation like this is known to promote weight loss. The issue is that it’s not sustainable. Many people have experiencedseriousside effects, and they also mentioned how all the lost weight returned as soon as normal eating continued. The diet has also not been proven to be safe and effective. There are health professionals who have concluded that this diet is not safe or effective. It enforces a strict lack of calories with very little to no nutrients.

User Feedback

(Page 14 of 18, 343 total comments)

kadeem

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hey guys i have just started the cleanse and trust me it is awful. The taste is horrible and extremely spicy evn tha flush its disgustin as i right i can feel some hot rumbling down my abdomen and i hope its doin its best so day 1 wish me luck cas i am goin to need it :'(:'(....will keep u gys posted

posted Jan 2nd, 2009 12:26 pm

Julia

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I'm on the lemonade diet. I alterred it a little bit for my own preference. I started the diet three days ago and ate last yesterday morning. I eased myself into the diet by eating less and less. The lemonade is actually really good and I feel lighter already. I don't drink the sea salt though, I can't do it.. but I don't think there's any harm in not drinking it. I look at it as a double whammy, but I'm fine with just the lemonade. I'm proud of my will power, but I'm getting irritated with being offered food EVERY day by people who know I can't eat.

I will be starting the diet n the morning..I have worked my way from meat so when I'm done with this cleanse I will be on the right track by eating healthy and feeling GREAT.........

posted Dec 28th, 2008 7:12 pm

tyra

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I'm starting tomorrow, i will keep you guys posted.

posted Dec 26th, 2008 1:12 am

mary

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the sea salt flush tastes yuck and i finished it about one hour kater. but the lemon mix is great

posted Dec 22nd, 2008 4:08 pm

ishia

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can you use home water for this deit? please answer back.

posted Dec 19th, 2008 4:26 pm

weight be gone

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well i've been loking for the recipe to this diet since beyoncee said she used it for dreamgirls,and i am greatful to have found it.i start tomorrow i plan 2 do it for7 days and ill take it from there.ill keep y'all posted.

posted Dec 18th, 2008 4:03 pm

Chaquita

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The lemonade diet does work if you do it right. The first time I tried it, I did it for four days and lost 10 pounds. About 5 pounds settled in afterwards for a net loss of five. I did the diet again three weeks later and for seven days. I only lost a total of 6 more pounds but I stopped the fast because I didnt want to lose too much. I lost a total of 9 pounds and have not gained it back and this was June of 2008 when I did the second cleanse. I dont recommend any pre-mixed powders. I made mine myself. I used the diet at a time when I been under a lot of stress, so I ate what I wanted, when, and how much. I found my self not being able to fit into the clothes I had been able to wear three months before. I needed something to get me back to where I was before. For anyone struggling with it, I only did the diet for four days because it was real rough. The second time was much easier. Good luck.

posted Dec 18th, 2008 2:23 am

KT

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This diet really worked. I felt more energized afterwards. I did it for about 9 days and lost about 14 pounds. Although I lost weight on the diet, the key to keeping it off has been watching calorie intake, eating healthier food (at least 50% organic, 100% organic meat), and exercise.

posted Dec 12th, 2008 3:44 pm

Ilana

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SECOND DAY:

My first day was ok. The drink is not the best ever but its not impossible to drink all i kept thinking about it was how i wanted this to work for me.

I weighted myself before the diet and i was 56.6Kg and today i was 55.6Kg.

See you tommorrow.

posted Dec 10th, 2008 11:05 am

Ilana

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I started the diet today.

I got the Simply Slender Diet Drink from GNC and it is around $37.

I am planning on doing it for 4 days and then for four days more in the following week.

posted Dec 9th, 2008 9:58 am

Felecia

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Well tomorrow will be my first day! I have not seen the recipe for the salt water, does anyone have the recipe and when are you suppose to consume it? Thanks

posted Dec 7th, 2008 10:38 pm

VIC

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Well I am on my 7th day and I still have energy and my clothe are fitting comfortable.
I plan to do this for 14days. Then for an additional 2days I wll drink freshly squeezed (fruit juice) Then for an additional 3days I will intake protein shakes for Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
After that I will start introducing food to my system.
This will consist of a high protein intake rather than carbs.

I am at 235lbs, my goal is 200lbs.

posted Dec 7th, 2008 10:37 am

sweetyb

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i dont believe on diet.. ur just gonna starve urself and is not healthy.. it myt have side effect later.. i workouot and and is a healthier.. i look good and got muscle. slim.. people ask me how i get so toned and slim.. and i say i workout.. diet is not the idea to loose weight.. your just gonna starve yourseld.

posted Dec 4th, 2008 11:08 pm

Kauttia

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I start my Cleanse Tommrow.... I'm scared of the sea salt and water... I guess I have to get up Reallllllllllll Early to stay actually close to the bathroom.. I'm glad my bathroom is done being Remodeled Because I serouisly Could have been in trouble.. Just think Of me Running Next door to my neighbor to ask to use the bathroom and blow it up?!?! But Around day 2-4 days.. I'll keep ya posted When I start to Vent of the smelling of food in my house... smh

posted Dec 3rd, 2008 10:37 pm

SonMadi

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I started the cleansing today - Dec 2nd - and it has been extremely easy. My plan is to continue for 10 days. I will post an update then.

posted Dec 2nd, 2008 4:42 pm

Gigi

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I did it for 10 days last December and lost a lot of weight and kept it off until the past two months. It's not easy if you are going through menopause and dealing with lots of stress and grief - death in family. I put some weight back on and feel miserable, so I started again and I'm on day 2. IT DOES CLEANSE YOU -- trust me, that is the main reason people gain weight is what goes in stays in.

posted Dec 2nd, 2008 9:57 am

ale

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i am on day one!! it is hard i couldnt help it eating a grape! hope its not a big deal but i will still do it!!!

posted Nov 28th, 2008 10:45 pm

Janie

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I used the Simply Slender Lemonade Diet which is already mixed and in a bottle. I only did it for 4 days which is what my doctor recommended. I have done longer fasts using this recipe and it is really just too extreme for me at this point. I believe in the benefits of this fast and liked this recipe. For those who just can not do anything as extreme as 10 - 40 days and are limited Simply Slender is a healthy alternative and I found still gives you all the benefirts of the original recipe.

The Master Cleanser Diet, also known as The Lemonade Diet, is a fasting plan that will shed pounds quickly. The diet was created by Stanley Burroughs more than 50 years ago. Burroughs, a proponent of varying alternative health remedies, had no medical or nutritional training.

The Lemonade Diet claims that its fasting technique rids the body of toxins that are induced by bad diet, lack of exercise and "negative mental attitudes." But where does the lemonade come into play? Well, that's all your going to ingest for 7-10 days. The magic elixir, purported to have been used by celebrities like Beyonce, Denzel Washington and Robin Quivers (of the Howard Stern Show) has grown in popularity, evidenced by the user video diaries that can be found on sites like YouTube.

Fast weight loss, although there are no scientifically proven benefits to the Lemonade Diet, but that's obviously going to happen when you starve yourself

CON

There is no medical evidence that cleansing diets work to rid the body of toxins

It's a short-term solution to something that needs to be a lifetime change

The Lemonade Diet, like all extended fasts, can have adverse effects on your organ function and metabolism.

Diet and Nutrition

The Lemonade Diet has fasters drink anywhere from 6 to 12 glasses of lemonade daily. The maple syrup diet recipe for the concoction is as follows:

2 Tbsp. lemon juice or lime juice

2 Tbsp. real maple syrup

1/10 tsp. cayenne pepper

8 oz. water

EXERCISE

Exercise is not addressed on The Lemonade Diet. And how could you properly exercise when you are fasting on a liquid diet?

CONCLUSION

Fasting, or "cleansing" diets, are fantastic bait for people looking for a quick fix to their weight woes. It's why celebrities are drawn to it. Maybe any possible health risks are okay for them, since they can write it off as a danger they take on for their career. But for the rest of us who should be thinking about a lifetime solution, look for something you can live with forever.

The information provided within this site is strictly for the purposes of information only and is not a replacement or substitute for professional advice, doctors visit or treatment. The provided content on this site should serve, at most, as a companion to a professional consult. It should under no circumstance replace the advice of your primary care provider. You should always consult your primary care physician prior to starting any new fitness, nutrition or weight loss regime.